Why Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet should reject Chuck Hagel

U.S. Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet understandably work hard to prove that they are sensible moderates, and now they have a chance to prove it — by voting “no” on the confirmation of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary. Hagel’s record on national defense is way to the left of Bennet and Udall’s. Hagel was one of only a couple of senators so misguided that they opposed sanctions against Iran.

Just one year before an election year, does Udall really want to be on record for putting a man opposed to sanctions against Iran in charge of the U.S. military?

Being a senator is full of close calls, I am sure, but standing up to Iran isn’t one. If Bennet and Udall want to earn thanks from Republicans, if they want to demonstrate that they are bigger than the partisanship that we all have come to hate in Washington, D.C., they should vote “no” on Hagel.

Aaron Ellis, Denver

This letter was published in the Jan. 24 edition.

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A vast majority of Americans don’t want another war, least of all a war with a very powerful country like Iran. Hagel looks like a very good choice to lead the Pentagon — he is rational, reasonable and has actual experience in war (unlike the neocon chicken hawks).

orthen

I just hope that Bennet and Udall appreciate that their first, second and third level of allegiances are to Israel and that they don’t get the cockeyed notion that the interests of America come first in their thoughts and actions. I’m sure that Aaron, Alan Dershowitz and Sheldon Adelson would all agree on this basic requirement of a member of Congress.

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